Automatic carwash apparatus

ABSTRACT

An automatic carwash apparatus having a carriage moving along a track mounted in spaced relation to the car. Positive stops halt the carriage at the ends of the track and limit switches reverse the movement of the carriage at the ends of the track. A spray head is attached to the carriage and equipped with spray nozzles in an L-shaped pattern oriented to spray the sides, ends and upper surfaces of the car as the carriage moves along the track. Alternate forms are shown with the track at ground level and with the track above the roof level of the car. Two of the forms shown have a single track, and two forms have a pair of tracks each surrounding half the circumference of the car.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Mowatt M. Hurst Menlo Park, Calif.

[21] Appl. No. 809,182

[22] Filed Mar. 21,1969

145] Patented Sept. 14, 1971 [73] Assignee Malsbary ManufacturingCompany Oakland, Calif.

1 54] AUTOMATIC CARWASH APPARATUS 10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 134/58, 104/93, 134/95, 134/123, 134/181 [51 Int. Cl B60s3/04 [50] Field of Search 134/45, 123, 180, 181; 15/D1G.2;239/184, 185;104/93 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,676,600 4/1954 Vaniet a1. 134/123 2,703,579 3/1955 Merancy et a1. 134/123 X 3,012,56412/1961 134/123X 3,187,359 6/1965 15/D1G. 2 3,288,109 11/1966 134/1233,315,691 4/1967 Widner .1: 1 34 123x 9/1967 Williams 134/123 X3,398,755 8/1968 Hudson et a1 134/123 X FOREIGN PATENTS 251,427 2/1964Australia 134/123 375,182 6/1932 Great Britain.. 134/123 961,509 4/1957Germany.... 134/123 965,612 8/1964 Great Britain.. 134/123 1,076,1357/1967 Great Britain 134/123 Primary Examiner-Daniel BlumAtt0rr1eySchapp and Hatch ABSTRACT: An automatic carwash apparatushaving a carriage moving along a track mounted in spaced relation to thecar, Positive stops halt the carriage at the ends of the track and limitswitches reverse the movement of the carriage at the ends of the track.A spray head is attached to the carriage and equipped with spray nozzlesin an L-shaped pattern oriented to spray the sides, ends and uppersurfaces of the car as the carriage moves along the track. Alternateforms are shown with the track at ground level and with the track abovethe roof level of the car. Two of the forms shown have a single track,and two forms have a pair of tracks each surrounding half thecircumference of the car,

PATENTED SEPI 41971 3,604,434

sum 1 or 4 INVENTOR.

MOW/1T7 M. HURST BY M 144% ATTOKNEYS PATENTEDSEPMISYI 3,604,434

sum 2 OF 4 INVENTOR.

@ 3! MOWATT M. HU

4 TTOKNE V5 PATENTEUSEPMIQYI $504 434 sum 3 OF 4 INVENTOR- MOW/UT M.HURST BY M z ifl F I E 1 :I ATTOKNEY5 AUTOMATIC CARWASH APPARATUSCROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related tomy copending application, Ser. No. 720,767, filed Apr. 12, 1968 andentitled AUTOMATIC CARWASH APPARATUS the benefit of the filing date ofwhich is claimed as to any invention common to both applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements inAUTOMATIC CARWASH APPARATUS, and more particularly to carwash apparatuswherein cleaning is effected by impinging sprays of where it was sprayedwith a cleaning liquid, passed between revolving brushes to scrub offdirt, rinsed off and at least partially dried in a blast of heated air.Manually operated carwashes, on the other hand, have involved spraying acleaning liquid onto the vehicle, scrubbing the vehicle surface with ahand mitt, sponge or the like, spraying the vehicle with a rinse liquidand wiping off most of the liquid with a chamois or towel.

Recently, improved detergent cleaning compounds and water conditionershave become available which make it possible to eliminate the scrubbingstep, and which allow the car to dry naturally without spotting,eliminating the drying step. With the drying and scrubbing stepseliminated, a carwash apparatus can be provided which cleans the carsolely by the spraying of cleaning and rinsing liquids against thesurfaces to be cleaned, the vehicle drying with or without air blast. Agreatly simplified automatic apparatus results, the apparatus beingespecially suited for unattended operation and consequent decreasedlabor cost and turn around time.

Known spray-type carwash devices usually consist of a spray arch whichpasses longitudinally over the vehicle, see Fisher U.S. Pat. No.2,699,792, or a spray carriage which moves along an oblong trackpositioned in surrounding relation to the vehicle, see Tompkins U.S.Pat. No. 2,896,857. In either type of apparatus, problems areencountered in achieving effective cleaning action on the more difficultto clean portions of the car without wasting too much liquid on the moreeasily cleaned areas.

A further problem with the prior art devices involves the necessity fora swiveling liquid and electrical connection, in the line supplyingpower and liquid to the carriage, which is capable of following themovement of the carriage. Such connections are expensive and they impairthe reliability of the apparatus. While this problem may be met byeliminating the swivel connection and providing a carriage whichreciprocates along the track rather than following a continuous circlingpath, further problems are encountered with the carriage overrunning thedesired halting points.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention employs a carriage ridingon a twoended track, reciprocating from one end of the track to theother and back. The track surrounds a portion of the periphery of thecar, so that the spray manifold borne by the carriage will project sprayagainst the desired portions of the car as the carriage traverses thetrack. Since the carriage does not move in a continuous encircling path,swivel structures need not be used for the electrical and liquidconnections, and the resulting simplification of structure enhances thetroublefree performance of the apparatus.

Positive stops at the ends of the path of travel of the carriage triggerthe reversal of carriage motion and entirely eliminate carriage overrunpast the proper reversal points. In some prior designs, should thereversing mechanism fail to actuate when the limit switch is tripped,the carriage can overrun the stop and either actuate the limit switchintended to stop it at the other extremity, or merely continue onwithout the desired reversal. In either event, the carriage wouldcontinue forward, causing problems with the power and liquid supplylines and disturbing the timing of the changes in spray liquid and spraypattern. With the positive stops and positive reversal of the presentinvention, such mistiming and damage to the supply lines is madeimpossible regardless of any failure of the switching mechanisms, as thecarriage cannot physically be driven beyond the stop, whether the motoris reversed or not.

In equipment of the present type, increased speed of operation resultsin a significant increase in revenue, as more cars are washed in a giventime, and long waiting lines are eliminated. Though the speed of thewashing process may be increased by putting another spray carriage onthe track, problems arise in synchronizing movements of the twocarriages sharing the same track. Such problems may be solved, but it isadvantageous to eliminate the problem altogether by providing a separatetrack for each carriage. The movements of the two carriages can thus beentirely independent of each other with no danger of interference orimproper synchronism. Since both tracks are two-ended and have positivestops with positive carriage reversal, neither spray car riage canaffect the operation of the other.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide automatic carwash apparatus of the character described which iscapable of cleansing and rinsing the exterior surface of an auto in arapid and efficient manner.

It is a further principal object of the present invention to provide anautomatic carwash apparatus of the character described which eliminatesthe need for electrical and plumbing swivel structures, for greaterreliability and economy.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automaticcarwash apparatus of the character described in which carriage overrrunof the desired stop points and attendant synchronism problems areentirely eliminated.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anautomatic carwash apparatus of the character described having a positivereversal of the carriage motion.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automaticcarwash apparatus of the character described having increased resistanceto vandalism and tampering.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automaticcarwash of the character described in which two spray carriages may beemployed without interference with each other.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear asthe specification proceeds, and the new and useful features of theautomatic carwash apparatus will be fully defined in the claims attachedhereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred form of the presentinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part ofthis specification, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carwash constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the carwash of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the carwash of thepresent invention and showing the outline of the automobile to be washedin phantom.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the carwash of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the carwash of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the carwash ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken approximatelyalong the planes of lines 7-7 of FIG. 1 with portions of the apparatusshown broken away for clarity,

FIG. 8 is a view partially in cross section taken approximately alongthe planes of lines 8-8 of FIG. 7.

F IG. 9 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale takenapproximately along the planes of lines 99 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view takenapproximately along the planes of line 10-10 of FIG. 1 with parts brokenaway for clarity.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view takenapproximately along the planes of lines 11-11 of FIG. 3, with partsbroken away for clarity.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view takenapproximately along the planes of lines 12l2 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the ratchet, star wheel and camshaftapparatus shown in FIGS. 10 and 12.

While only the preferred forms of the present invention have been shown,it should be understood that various changes or modifications may bemade within the spirit of the claims attached hereto without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings indetail, it well be seen that the automatic carwash apparatus 21 of thepresent invention includes a guide means 22 mounted in spaced relationto a portion of the periphery of a car 23 to be washed. As shown in FIG.1, the guide means 22 includes a track 24 supported on standards 26 andhaving two ends, 27 and 28. Spray means 29 is mounted for traversingmovement along the guide means 22 and track 24 and is formed fordirecting a spray of liquid against the car 23. A positive stop means 31is mounted adjacent each end of the guide means 22 and is formed forhalting movement of the spray means 29 along the track 24 as the spraymeans 29 moves from one end 27 to the other 28 and back along the guidemeans 22. The spray means 29 carries with it means for reversing thedirection of travel of the spray means 29 along the guide means 22,generally indicated as 32 in FIGS 12 and 13, upon encounter of the spraymeans 29 with the positive stop means 31.

The means 32 for reversing the direction of travel of the spray means 29includes a limit switch 33 actuated by movement of the spray means 29with respect to the guide means 22 and track 24 in the vicinity of thepositive stop means 31. The spray means 29 is supported on a carriage 34which moves along the guide means 22, and as here shown the limit switch33 is mounted within the carriage 34 and comprises a toggle switchactuated by sliding movement of a bar 36 which is in turn moved relativeto the carriage 34 upon contact with the positive stop means 31. At thepoint in time illustrated by the position of the parts in FIGS. 12 and13 the bar 36 has just been driven fully to the right as shown in thosefigures to actuate the limit switch 33 to cause the carriage 34 to bedriven to the right, away from the positive stop means 31 as seen on theleft in FIG. 12. While the limit switch 33 has been shown here mountedwithin the carriage 34, it should be appreciated that it could bemounted anywhere adjacent each end 27, 28 of the guide means 22, whereit would be actuated by the movement of the carriage 34 approaching suchend.

The spray means 29 includes a generally L-shaped manifold 37 attached tothe carriage 34 and disposed with one arm 38 of manifold 37 extendingabove a portion of the car 23 and the other arm 39 of the manifold 37disposed generally parallel to the side of the car 23. The manifold 37bears spray nozzles 41 along both of the arms 38 and 39 communicatingwith the manifold 37 to direct liquid sprays against the car 23. Thespray means 29 is formed for directing a plurality of liquids throughthe spray against the car 23, such as a detergent solution followed byclear rinse water. Other fluids, such as a preconditioner solution or awax solution may be applied through the spray means as well. A controlmeans generally indicated as 42 is provided, responsive to thetraversing movement of the spray means 29 along the guide means 22 tocontrol the sequence of application of the different spray solutionsthrough the spray means 29.

As shown in FIG. 13, the control means 42 operated by the samereciprocating bar 36 which operates the reversing means 32. A pair ofbrackets 43 are mounted on the bar 36, and a ratchet lever 44 ispivotally attached to each bracket 43. The ratchet levers 44 engage thepins of six-pointed star wheel 46 which is borne by a shaft 47. Springs48 bias each of the ratchet arms 44 toward the ends of the star wheel46. Thus on each reciprocation of the bar 36, one of the ratchet arms 44will be engaged with a pin of the star wheel 46 to advance the starwheel one-sixth of a revolution while the opposite ratchet arm 44 willbe dragged across pin on the opposite side of the star wheel 46. At thelimit of travel of the bar 36, the dragged ratchet arm 44 falls intoplace behind a pin and is engaged so that it will advance the star wheel46 an additional one-sixth revolution upon the return of the bar 36 toits original position.

Cams 48, 49 and 51 are attached to the shaft 47 for rotation uponrotation of the star wheel 46. Cam 48 is engaged with the follower of acam-actuated valve 52 and cam 49 is engaged with the follower of the camactuated valve 53. The valve 52 is applied with clear rinse liquid froma conduit 56, and the valve 53 is supplied with wash solution from aconduit 57. The output of both valve 52 and valve 53 are connected to aconduit 58 leading to the manifold 37. The cam 51 contacts the followerof a cam-actuated switch 54, which interrupts the supply of power to thecarwash apparatus at the end of a completed wash and rinse cycle. Ashere shown, the cams 48 and 49 are arranged for a cycle in which thespray means 29 travels from one end to the other of the track 24 whilewash liquid is supplied, and then travels from the other end of thetrack 24 to the first end and back to the other end, that is, makes twotrips around the car 23 while the rinse liquid is supplied. For thispurpose, the two dwell periods of cam 48 are 120 each and the two dwellperiods of the cam 49 are 60 each, with the cams 48 and 49 arrangedapart in phase. One complete cycle of washing followed by rinsing occursfor each one-half revolution of the star wheel 46. At the end ofone-half revolution of the star wheel 46, one of the two short dwellareas of the cam 51 is brought into engagement with the follower of theswitch 54 to shut down the apparatus.

The spray means 29 is formed for changing the angle at which the sprayof liquid is directed against the surface of the car 23 in areciprocating fashion through the operation of an oscillator mechanismgenerally indicated as 59 in FIG. 10. The oscillator mechanism 59 isessentially similar to that disclosed in my copending application Ser.No. 720,767, cited above, and includes a pair of bevel gears 61 drivenby the carriage drive motor 62. The bevel gears 61 in turn drive a shaft63 having an arm 64 attached to its end. The arm 64 is pivotallyattached to a link 66 which is in turn pivotally attached to an arm 67mounted on the end of a countershaft 68. The countershaft 68 is joumaledthrough a bearing 69 mounted on the housing 71 of the carriage 34. Anarm 72 is attached to the opposite end of the counter shaft 68 andpivotally attached to a link 73 which is in turn pivotally attached toan arm 74 mounted on the vertical arm 39 of the spray manifold.

The operation of the oscillator mechanism 59 produces the reciprocatorymotion illustrated by the arrows 76 in FIG. 9. The vertical arm 39 ofthe spray manifold is connected to a slant section 77 of the manifoldthrough a flexible joint 78, which is capable for transmitting thetorsional force. The slant section 77 is in turn connected to thehorizontal arm of the spray manifold 38 through another flexible joint79 so that the slant section 77 and the horizontal section 38 of thespray manifold share in the reciprocatory motion. The manifolds 38, 39and 77 are borne within the housing 71 by bearing supports 81 whichpermit the reciprocatory motion while supporting the manifolds.

The wash and rinse fluids are supplied to the spray means 29 through apair of hoses 82 and 83 leading from the supply arch 84 which spans thetrack 24. The hoses 82 and 83 are connected within the carriage 34 tothe conduits 56 and 57. The outlet conduit 58 from the valves 52 and 53communicates with a conduit 86 as shown in FIG. 8, which leads to thebottom of the vertical arm 39 of the spray manifold 37. Conduit 86 isconnected to the lower end of the spray manifold arm 39 through arotary-seal joint 87 which allows the conduit 86 to remain stationarywhile the spray manifold arm 39 reciprocates about its axis.

The carriage 34 and manifold 37 carried by it are suspended from thetrack 24 through a drive and suspension system which includes a guideroller 88 journaled on the carriage 34 and bearing a depending lip 89 ofthe track 24, a pair of guide rollers 91 bearing on the inside of thetrack 24, and a pair of guide rollers 92 bearing on the bottom edge ofthe track 24. The carriage 34 is driven along the track 24 by a drivewheel 93 which bears on the inside of the lower edge of the track 24.

The drive wheel 93 is mounted on a shaft 94 which is in turn journaledin bearings 96 mounted on the carriage 34. A sprocket 97 is mounted onthe shaft 94 and engaged with a roller chain 98 which is in turn engagedwith a sprocket 99 mounted on the drive shaft of the motor 62. The motor62 is appropriately supplied with power which is switched by the cutoffswitch 54 and a reversing limit switch 33 from a power supply cable 101leading from the supply arch 84 to the carriage 34 along with the hoses82 and 83.

Turning now to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the carwash thereshown is essentially the same in operation as the carwash of FIGS. 1 and2 except that the track 24 is relocated to a horizontal plane below thelevel of the roof of the car, in fact, to ground level. As here shown,the spray means 29 stands upwardly from the carriage 34, which islocated at the lower end of the vertical arm 39 of the manifold 37. Thecarriage 34 is engaged with the track 24 in essentially the same fashionas in the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 10.

In FIG. 11, which shows a cross section of the carriage 34 in theembodiment of FIG. 3, those parts which are essentially the same as inthe embodiment of FIGS. 1 and have been given the same numbers. In thisembodiment additional rollers 111 are added to accommodate the changedpattern of loading. One of the rollers 111 rides on the top of the track24, and the other roller 111 bears on the outer edge of the supportplatform 112 which occupies the center of the course of the track 24.The reversing means 32, the control means 42 and the oscillatormechanism 59 are essentially the same as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and10.

An additional bearing 113 is provided for the shaft 63 and the conduit86 is eliminated, with the vertical arm 39 of the manifold 37 beingsupplied directly from the conduit 57 through the rotary seal joint 87.Although the conduit 57 is here shown as a flexible member, it should beappreciated that there is no requirement that the conduit 57 beflexible, as all motion of the manifold 37 occurs above the rotary joint87. The shaft 63 and the conduit 57 both pass through a narrow neckportion 114 of the carriage 34 which passes along the gap between thedepending lip 89 of the track 24 and the support platform 112. Thesupply hoses 82 and 83 and the power supply cable 101 pass along atrough 116 lying immediately within the ambit of the track 24 andpartially beneath the support platform 112. Since the hoses and thepower supply cable pass along the trough 116, the support platform 112may be borne either by a series of support pillars 117 as shown in FIG.3 or rest for most of its area on a slab foundation. This form of theinvention has the advantage of a neater and less cluttered appearanceand reduces vulnerability to vandal attack.

Turning now to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, aform of the carwash 21 is shown in which the guide means 22 comprises aplurality, here two, of two-ended tracks 24a, with each of the tracksgenerally encircling a portion of the circumference of the car 23. Thespray means 29 includes a pair of carriages 34, one on each of thetracks 24a,

and each of the carriages 34 has a manifold 37 mounted on it to spraythe car 23. The two carriages 34 each travel along their respectivetracks 24a reciprocating from end to end thereof in the same fashion asthe carriages 34 of the two preceding embodiments.

The prime advantage gained in this form of the invention lies in theincreased speed of operation. The use of two carriages 34 and manifolds37 approximately halves the amount of time taken to clean the automobile23. Since the two units on their separate tracks 24a are essentiallyindependent of each other, no problems of synchronism between theoperations of the two units should arise. Should one unit advanceslightly ahead of the other unit in its operations, it will merely reachthe end of its cycle of operation and stop, and the other unit willsubsequently reach the end of its cycle of operation and likewise stop.

Although synchronism between the two units is not vital, it is preferredto operate the units in such a fashion that they remain approximatelysymmetrically opposite each other on their respective tracks, to avoidany problems arising upon simultaneous arrival of both units at a commoncorner. The common corners are those which the ends of the track meet,such as the upper comer in FIG. 4, at which 27 of the righthand trackand 28a of the left-hand track, and the lower comer in FIG. 4, at whichend 28 of the right-hand track meets end 27a of the lefthand track. Eachof the ends 27, 28, 27a and 28a is equipped with a positive stop means31, 31a, which are essentially the same as the positive stop means 31shown in FIG. 1. The lower corner of FIG. 4 at which ends 28 and 27ameet is equipped with positive stop means 31 which are concealed in thatview.

The details of the reversing means 32, manifolds 38, 39 and 77, and ofthe control means 42 and the oscillator mechanism 59 are essentially thesame as those shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, with a complete set ofthose mechanisms being carried within each of the carriages 34 andmanifolds 37. While only two tracks 24a have been shown in thisembodiment, it should be appreciated that as many segments of track 24may be used as desired, and that additional segments may proveadvantageous. For instance, the employment of four travelling unitsincluding carriages 34 and manifolds 37 on four segments of track 24would produce an even more rapid cleaning cycle, with the additionalpossibility of slowing down those units covering the front and ends ofthe car to receive additional cleaning action on those more difficult toclean areas. Alternatively, with a four-segmented track 24 alltravelling units could operate at a common speed, with those travellingunits covering the ends of the car making more passes across those areasduring a cycle of operation.

Turning now from the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which thetracks 240 are disposed above the roof level of the car to theembodiment shown in Figure 6, the tracks 24b there shown are disposedbelow the level of the roof of the car and in fact, akin to the track 24of Figure 3, are disposed at or below ground level. As here shown, thetravelling units, each comprising a carriage 34 and a manifold 37, areessentially the same as the carriage 34 and manifold 37 depicted in theembodiment of FIG. 4, the guide means 22 includes a pair of tracksegments 24b, each guiding one of the travelling units.

Two sets of hoses 82 and 83 and power supply cables 101 are provided,each running along a trough 116 essentially the same as the trough 116of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 11. As in the preceding embodiments,positive stop means 31 are provided at each of the ends of each of thetracks 24b both to actuate the reversing means 32 and control means 42and to absolutely prevent overrun of the carriage beyond the ends of thetracks. As mentioned above, it is preferred to operate the travellingunits approximately symmetrically opposite each other on their tracks toavoid interference with each other at the common corners. Thisembodiment may also be provided it will be noted that with the cycle ofoperation provided here, that is, three completed circuits of the car23, one circuit spraying a wash fluid and two circuits spraying clearrinse water, the travelling unit or spray means 29 will terminate thecomplete cycle of operation at opposite ends of the track 24 from onecycle to the next. Since the two ends of the track 24 are located at acorner of the track, the spray means 29 in all four of the embodimentsshown always ends such travelling at a corner, so that the automobilehas a free path to drive forward out of the carwash 21. Should thecleansing cycle be expanded to include an additional step, such as apreliminary wetting fluid before the wash fluid or a final wax fluidafter the rinse, the spray means 29 would then return to the same end ofthe track on each cycle of operation. Because of the limited degree oftorsion applied to the supply hoses 82 and 83 and the power supply cable101, amounting in the embodiment of FIG. 1 to a maximum of one-halfturn, no swivel joint need be used b between the hoses 82 and 83 and thesupply arch 84, so that a considerable saving in both initial andmaintenance costs results.

Due to the positive stop means 31, there is no chance that the carriage34 will ride beyond its intended limits at the ends of the track 24 andthus no danger that unacceptable degrees of torsion will be applied tothe supply hoses or the power supply cable. Any failure of the spraymeans 29 to reverse its motion at the ends of the track will merelyleave the spray means idling at the end of the track 24 and will notresult in any disruption of the timing or synchronism of the apparatus.If desired an appropriate slip clutch may be incorporated in the powerdrive train at an appropriate location between the motor 62 and thedrive wheel 93 to prevent motor overload in such situations. Failure ofreversal of the carriage motion is extremely unlikely, however, sincethe reversal is positively associated with the arrival of the carriage34 at the end of the track 24. As may be seen in Figure 12, it is themotion of the carriage 34 toward the positive stop means 31 at the endof the track 24 which pushes the bar 36 to operate the reversing limitswitch 33.

Since the control means 42 and reversing means 32 are enclosed withinthe housing of the carriage 34, they are rendered less vulnerable tomalicious mischief and vandalism. Their location below tloor level inthe embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 6 together with the location below floorlevel of the hoses 83 and 83 in the power supply cable 101 in thoseembodiments further enhances the resistance of the carwash apparatus tomalicious damage. If desired, portions of the support platform 112 maybe made hinged for access to the trough 116 and to the lower portions ofthe carriage 34. Additional details of operation, such as the provisionof a treadle switch operated by the presence of the car 23 to begin thewashing cycle, and a coin acceptor so that the operation of the devicemay be essentially unattended may be found in the copending applicationcited above.

From the foregoing it may be seen that an automatic carwash apparatushas been provided which cleans and rinses the exterior surface of anautomobile rapidly and efficiently while greater reliability and economyare achieved through the elimination of an electrical and plumbingswivel structures, and carriage overrun of the desired stop points andfailure to reverse carriage motion are positively prevented.

I claim:

1. A carwash apparatus, comprising guide means surrounding substantiallythe entire periphery of a car to be washed and having two ends,

spray means mounted for traversing movement along said guide means fromone end to the other and back and formed for directing a spray of liquidagainst the car to be washed, and

positive stop means mounted adjacent each end of said guide means,

wherein said spray means is formed for directing a plurality of liquidsthrough said spray, and a control means is provided responsive to saidtraversing movement for causing said spray means to direct selectedliquids of said plurality against the car. 2. A carwash apparatus asdescribed in claim 1 and wherein said spray means comprises a carriagemovable along said guide means, a spray manifold borne by said carriageand formed for directing spray simultaneously at the top and sides ofthe car, and drive means for propelling said carriage along said track.

3. A car wash apparatus as described in claim 2 and wherein said spraymanifold comprises a generally L-shaped manifold attached to saidcarriage and disposed with one arm of said manifold extending above aportion of the car being washed and the other arm of said manifold beingdisposed generally vertically parallel to the side of the car, saidmanifold bearing spray nozzles along both of said arms communicatingwith said manifold to direct liquid sprays against the car.

4. A carwash apparatus, comprising a guide means surroundingsubstantially the periphery of a car to be washed and having two ends,

spray means mounted for transversing movement along said guide meansfrom one end to the other and back and formed for directing a spray ofliquid against the car to be washed,

positive stop means mounted adjacent each end of said guide means, saidspray means comprising a carriage movable along said guide means,

a spray manifold borne by said carriage and formed for directing spraysimultaneously at the top and sides of the car, and

drive means for propelling said carriage along said track,

and wherein said spray means is formed for changing the angle at whichthe spray of liquid is directed against the surface of the car in afashion reciprocating back and forth about the axis of said manifold assaid spray means traverses said track.

5. A carwash apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein said guidemeans comprises a two-ended track disposed above the roof level of thecar.

6. A carwash apparatus as described in claim 5 and wherein said track isdisposed substantially within a horizontal plane.

7. A carwash apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein said guidemeans comprises a two-ended track disposed in a horizontal plane belowthe level of the roof of the car.

8. A carwash apparatus comprising a generally loop-shaped guide meanssurrounding substantially the entire periphery of a car to be washed andhaving two juxtaposed ends,

spray means mounted for traversing movement along said guide means fromone end to the other and back and formed for directing a spray of liquidagainst the car to be washed, and

positive stop means mounted adjacent each end of said guide means,

wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of twoended tracks, witheach track generally encircling a portion of the circumference of thecar, and said spray means includes a pair of carriages, one mounted oneach of said tracks for reciprocating traversal thereon from one of saidends to the other and each having a manifold mounted thereon, saidmanifolds each having a plurality of spray nozzles arrayed thereon andcommunicating with said manifold for impingement of a spray of fluidagainst the surface of the car, and

wherein said tracks are disposed in a substantially horizontal planebelow the level of the axles of the car.

9. A carwash apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein said carwashfurther comprises reversing means for reversing the direction of travelof said spray means along said guide means upon encounter of said spraymeans with said positive stop means.

10. A carwash as described in claim 9 and wherein said reversing meanscomprises a limit switch actuated by movement of said spray means withrespect to said guide means in the vicinity of said positive stop means.

1. A carwash apparatus, comprising guide means surrounding substantiallythe entire periphery of a car to be washed and having two ends, spraymeans mounted for traversing movement along said guide means from oneend to the other and back and formed for directing a spray of liquidagainst the car to be washed, and positive stop means mounted adjacenteach end of said guide means, wherein said spray means is formed fordirecting a plurality of liquids through said spray, and a control meansis provided responsive to said traversing movement for causing saidspray means to direct selected liquids of said plurality against thecar.
 2. A carwash apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein saidspray means comprises a carriage movable along said guide means, a spraymanifold borne by said carriage and formed for directing spraysimultaneously at the top and sides of the car, and drive means forpropelling said carriage along said track.
 3. A car wash apparatus asdescribed in claim 2 and wherein said spray manifold comprises agenerally L-shaped manifold attached to said carriage and disposed withone arm of said manifold extending above a portion of the car beingwashed and the other arm of said manifold being disposed generallyvertically parallel to the side of the car, said manifold bearing spraynozzles along both of said arms communicating with said manifold todirect liquid sprays against the car.
 4. A carwash apparatus, comprisinga guide means surrounding substantially the periphery of a car to bewashed and having two ends, spray means mounted for transversingmovement along said guide means from one end to the other and back andformed for directing a spray of liquid against the car to be washed,positive stop means mounted adjacent each end of said guide means, saidspray means comprising a carriage movable along said guide means, aspray manifold borne by said carriage and formed for directing spraysimultaneously at the top and sides of the car, and drive means forpropelling said carriage along said track, and wherein said spray meansis formed for changing the angle at which the spray of liquid isdirected against the surface of the car in a fashion reciprocating backand forth about the axis of said manifold as said spray means traversessaid track.
 5. A carwash apparatus as described in claim 1 and whereinsaid guide means comprises a two-ended track disposed above the rooflevel of the car.
 6. A carwash apparatus as described in claim 5 andwherein said track is disposed substantially within a horizontal plane.7. A carwash apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein said guidemeans comprises a two-ended track disposed in a horizontal plane belowthe level of the roof of the car.
 8. A carwash apparatus comprising agenerally loop-shaped guide means surrounding substantially the entireperiphery of a car to be washed and having two juxtaposed ends, spraymeans mounted for traversing movement along said guide means from oneend to the other and back and formed for directing a spray of liquidagainst the car to be washed, and positive stop means mounted adjacenteach end of said guide means, wherein said guide means comprises aplurality of two-ended tracks, with each track generally encircling aportion of the circumference of the car, and said spray means includes apair of carriages, one mounted on each of said tracks for reciprocatingtraversal thereon from one of said ends to the other and each having amanifold mounted thereon, said manifolds each having a plurality ofspray nozzles arrayed thereon and communicating with said manifold forimpingement of a spray of fluid against the surface of the car, andwherein said tracks are disposed in a substantially horizontal planebelow the level of the axles of the car.
 9. A carwash apparatus asdescribed in claim 1 and wherein said carwash further comprisesreversing means for reversing the direction of travel of said spraymeans along said guide means upon encounter of said spray means withsaid positive stop means.
 10. A carwash as described in claim 9 andwherein said reversing means comprises a limit switch actuated bymovement of said spray means with respect to said guide means in thevicinity of said positive stop means.